To the Point

Is China's Economic Instability a Political Crisis?

Since the 2007 global recession, China has remained an economic powerhouse, the hallmark of reliable growth and stable investment. But this summer Chinese stocks have plunged almost 40 percent, rattling investor confidence in Beijing's ability to control the market and guide the world's second largest economy.

By Barbara Bogaev • Sep 1, 2015 • 34m Listen

Since the 2007 global recession, China has remained an economic powerhouse, the hallmark of reliable growth and stable investment. But this summer Chinese stocks have plunged almost 40 percent, rattling investor confidence in Beijing's ability to control the market and guide the world's second largest economy. Some China observers say "Black Monday" is just the beginning of the end of China's economic miracle. Will declining confidence in Beijing prompt reforms? Will the government continue cracking down on critics?